biology

Understand the basics of cell theory, and the reasons why all life is cell-based. Be able to identify the key features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Learn the structure of cellular organelles and components and how it relates to their function. Know differences between LM, SEM and TEM Familiarise yourself with the main classes of biological molecules, with emphasis on macromolecules Understand the concept of monomers and polymers, and how macromolecules are formed and broken down (co

- to learn the chemical nature and properties of lipids - to understand how these relate to their function - to be able to recall the different classes of lipids, including fatty acid, phospholipids, sterols , triglycerides and waxes - to understand what osmosis is and how it impacts cells

•To learn the chemical nature of proteins and of their building blocks, the amino acids. •To understand the four different levels of protein structure, and the forces that regulate them. •To understand the close link between the structure and function of proteins.

Know the function of biological membranes Know the structure and composition of membranes Know the structure and function of membrane proteins including receptors enzymes, channel proteins and carrier proteins Transport across biological membranes including active and passive transport

Know what energy coupling is and how its used What is activation energy Understand how catalysts impact activation energy Know how enzymes work (stabilise the transition states) and why they are importatn in biology Understand how enzymes can be inhibited

To understand the link between cell cycle, DNA replication and cell division To learn different types of cells division; binary fission in prokaryotes, mitosis in somatic cells, meiosis in germ cells To learn about concept of ‘ploidy’ in eukaryotes and how it relates to the different cell division mechanisms (mitosis and meiosis)

•Know what cellular respiration is, including basic equation •Understand why ATP is a good energy carrying molecule •Know where respiration occurs and the structure and origins of Mitochondria •Understand the 4 stages of respiration and the key products of each •Know that anaerobic respiration occurs in cytoplasm in absence of Oxygen and produces much less ATP than aerobic respiration •Know how respiration can be measured

Know that in transcription, mRNA is synthesised by RNA polymerase from template strand of DNA Know that transcription starts at a promoter and ends at a terminator region Know that in translation, tRNA’s translate mRNA into amino acids Know that translation happens in ribosomes

•Understand the principles of DNA replication including that it is: –semi-conservative (and how this was discovered) –bi-directional –happens in 5’ to 3’ direction •Know the steps of DNA replication and the enzymes involved at each step including DNA Helicase, Topoisomerase and SSBs, Primase, Polymerases and Ligase